What is Gallbladder Sludge Ball Treatment?

The gallbladder, also known as cholecyst, is a small organ found lying beneath the liver. It is connected to the liver and upper end of the small intestine by ducts. Bile secreted by the liver digests fats in our food we eat. This takes place in the duodenum. It contains bile salts, acids, bilirubin, fats, proteins, cholesterol, chemicals and water. In the gallbladder, this secretion is concentrated many times over and remains in the organ; it is sent to the duodenum for digestion.

Excess of bile in the gallbladder thickens, giving rise to "stones" in the gallbladder. A higher amount of bilirubin, bile salts, or cholesterol produces gallbladder sludge balls or gallstones. These stones, which could be as tiny as a grain, pea-sized, or as big as golf balls, interfere with the normal functioning of the gallbladder. A person might have several tiny stones or just one large one. Another problem is thickening of the bile leading to stones.

Gallbladder sludge symptoms. Inflammation of the gallbladder because of gallbladder sludge is called cholecystitis. A soft and swollen abdomen, gas and bloating, discomfort, indigestion, constipation, vomiting, and acute pain in the right side of the abdomen are gallbladder sludge symptoms. Symptoms like fever, nausea, and acute abdominal pain lasting over six hours would be a cause for concern as it could be acute cholecystitis. A person is said to be suffering from chronic cholecystitis if he/she has had frequent bouts of abdominal pain. Body chills with a fever of 104°F are signs of acute cholecystitis. A typical onset of cholecystitis generally wears away within a week. However, if the gallbladder sludge symptoms last longer and a blood report shows higher count of white blood cells and absence of intestinal contractions, then it calls for emergency measures. Abdominal abscesses surrounding the gallbladder (due to gangrene) or a punctured or ruptured gallbladder are not to be ignored. An ultrasound test can spot and confirm the occurrence of gallbladder sludge. A block in the gallbladder or ducts can be identified by a nuclear or hepatobiliary scan. Cancer of the gallbladder or absence of it could be diagnosed through MRI and CT scans.

Gallbladder sludge treatment. There are a number of gallbladder sludge treatment options. People with either type of cholecystitis would need immediate hospitalization and medical care. In the absence of natural intestinal contractions, a tube is inserted through the nose leading into the intestine to help in preventing fluid accumulation in the intestine. Pain killers and intravenous antibiotics are administered. In extreme cases of acute cholecystitis, the gallbladder is removed surgically (cholecystetomy). In chronic conditions, the gallbladder is excised once the patient gets over the sharp abdominal pain. Acalculous cholecystitis is a condition when there is inflammation of the gallbladder but no gall stones. In such a case, immediate surgery is the only alternative.

A flush under medical supervision for a week is one gallbladder sludge treatment option. Drinking up to a quart of fresh apple juice or apple cider along with a clinically approved diet should also help. Following the whole procedure clubbed with a prescribed laxative should produce proper bowel movement and elimination of stones naturally and painlessly.

Gallbladder sludge diet. A healthy gallbladder sludge diet should be made up of vegetables and fruits containing fiber, as it can prevent the formation of sludge in the gallbladder long run. Vegetables belonging to the beetroot family and herbs should be included in one’s diet. It facilitates the bile in extracting and throwing out unwanted materials from the blood and in breaking down fats into absorbable by products. This rids the bile of toxins. B complex vitamins are said to aid in thinning bile.